Health Resources #4

Skin Cancer

What is Skin Cancer?
Cancer is uncontrolled growth of body cells. Skin cancer is one of the most common of human cancers. Skin cancer is uncontrolled growth of skin cells in outer layers of skin. If Skin cancer is untreated then it can spread from the outer skin layer into other tissues and organs.

The outer skin layer of skin is called the Epidermis which is made up of different types of cells. There are three major types of skin cancers which are classified by the types of epidermal cells involved. These types are Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Ccarcinoma and Melanoma.

1. Basal cell carcinoma develops from abnormal growth of the cells in the lowest layer of the epidermis and is the most common type of skin cancer.

2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma involves changes in the squamous cells, found in the middle layer of the epidermis.

3. Melanoma occurs in the Melanocytes (cells that produce pigment) and is less common than Squamous or Basal Cell Carcinoma -- but more dangerous. It is the leading cause of death from skin disease.

Anyone can develop a form of skin cancer but people with certain characteristics are more prone to it. Some of the characteristics fair skin complexion, family history of skin cancer, overexposure to the sun, early history of sunburns, large number of moles and atypical moles, and freckles.

Skin cancer could be 100 percent curable if detected in early stage before it spreads. For new growths or other changes in the skin should be reported to the doctor without any delay.


Causes of Skin Cancer
Exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sun is the most common cause of skin cancer. Other important causes of skin cancer include the following:
  • Use of Ultraviolet(UV) Lamps for skin tanning
  • Weak body immune system which helps protects the body from germs or foreign substances.
  • High levels exposure of x-rays
  • Contamination of certain chemicals like Arsenic, hydrocarbons in tar, oils, and soot.


    • The following are the certain characteristics of people which prone to skin cancer
  • Those with fair or light colored skin, especially types that freckle, sunburn easily, or become painful in the sun.
  • Those with certain genetic disorders that deplete skin pigment.
  • Those who have history of skin cancer.
  • Those with unusual moles or large moles from their childhood.
  • Those with close family members have history of skin cancer.
  • Those who had history of severe sunburn early in life.


    • Basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas are common in aged group of people. Melanomas are more common in younger people of 25-30 years.
    Symptoms of Skin Cancer

    Common Symptoms of Skin cancer are change on the outer skin, kind of sore that doesn't heal. Different types of Skin cancers don't look the same. Skin cancer may start as a small, smooth, shiny, pale or firm red lump. Sometimes, the lump bleeds or develops crust.

    Following are the symptoms of different types of skin cancer -

    Basal Cell Carcinoma looks like a lump or waxy, pearly bump on the sun-exposed skin of the head, neck, or shoulders.
  • Small blood vessels could be visible in the lump or tumor.
  • Slumping with crusting and bleeding (ulceration) frequently develops.
  • A Basal Cell Carcinoma is often mistaken for a sore that does not heal.


    • Squamous Cell Carcinoma looks like red, scaling, thickened patch on sun-exposed part of the skin.
  • Like Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma may ulcerate and bleed.
  • If it left untreated, Squamous Cell Carcinoma may develop into a large tumor.


    • Malignant Melanomas looks like brown-to-black pigmented lesions.
  • Warning signs Malignant Melanomas include change in size, shape, color, or elevation of a mole.
  • The appearance of a new mole during adulthood, itching, ulceration or bleeding of an existing mole should be checked for possible Malignant Melanomas.


    • Treatments of Skin Cancer

    Skin cancer is 100 percent curable if detected in early stage. Leaving it unteated, it can spread and make the condition worse. Treatment for skin cancer is determined based on following aspects.
  • Age of the patient
  • Health condition of the patient
  • Extent of the disease
  • Patient's tolerance for specific medicines or therapies.


    • There are several kinds of treatments for skin cancer, including the following:-

    Surgery : Surgery is a effective treatment for skin cancer used in most of the cases. Different types of surgeries are following.
  • Electrodesiccation and Curettage – By burning the affected area and removing it with a sharp instrument.
  • Cryosurgery – killing the cancer cells by freezing the tumor using liquid nitrogen/helium.
  • Skin Grafting - uses a skin graft to replace skin that is damaged when cancer is removed.
  • laser therapy - using a narrow beam of light to remove cancer cells.
  • Micrographic Surgery - Removing the lesion and minimum tissue as possible. In this surgery doctors use microscope to look at the cancerous area for cancer cells and removes them.


    • Radiation Therapy : In Radiation herapy, radiation machine is used which x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors by x-ray.

    Chemotherapy : treatment with chemical drugs to kill cancer cells. In topical chemotherapy a cream or lotion placed on the skin to kill cancer cells. In systemic chemotherapy pill is taken or drug injected into a vein or muscle.

    Eelectrochemotherapy : Electrochemotherapy is combination of chemotherapy and electrical pulses to treat skin cancer.